Resources

Tax guides

The forms that come up again and again for cross-border filers, explained in plain language.

1040NR · 5 min read

Form 1040NR: the US non-resident return, explained

If you are not a US resident for tax purposes but earned US-source income, this is usually the form you file instead of the standard 1040.

T2209 · 4 min read

T2209: claiming the foreign tax credit correctly

This is the form that prevents you from being taxed twice on the same income by the US and Canada. It only works if the numbers behind it are right.

W-8BEN · 3 min read

W-8BEN: telling your US employer or bank you are a non-resident

This form tells a US payer to withhold tax based on your non-resident alien status and any applicable treaty rate, instead of standard US rates.

FBAR · 5 min read

FBAR: reporting your Canadian accounts to the US Treasury

If you are a US citizen or resident with foreign accounts, including Canadian bank accounts, RRSPs, or TFSAs, this filing is separate from your tax return and carries its own penalties.